Dengue disease problems in Central America

September 24, 2013

Fevers, headaches, rashes: This spreads in Central America „Bone breaker fever “far –Latin America faces the most serious Dengue epidemic of his history. The case numbers have worldwide himself increased thirty times from 1960 to 2010. It is guessed urgently to protect itself from the gnats which transfer the virus.

Costa Rica, for example:

Dengue fever – the name alone sounds like a long journey. The fever is transmitted by the bite of the tiger mosquito that is infected with one of four types of dengue viruses. Over 30 000 registered patients are already suffering this year at the infectious disease every week about 2,000 new infections happen. And for all registered patients ten unregistered can be added. The health department calculated ten unregistrierte patients per 100 patients. The numbers of patients are now twice as high as at the same time in 2005, then 14,879 cases were reported. Only in 2007 surpasses the previous values, but the development indicates the most severe outbreak of dengue fever. In San Jose over 1000 cases were registered, Guanacaste is also greatly affected.

The dengue mosquito loves warm areas

Climate change may be responsible for the epidemic spread, for wherever it is warmer, the dengue mosquito “Aedes aegypti” can transmit the virus for a longer period, it needs clean stagnant water to reproduce. Especially in the rainy season, the most cases were registered – Costa Rica offers these optimal conditions abound. In addition, the mosquito comes more and more into the cities, like it’s happening in San Jose. The mosquitoes are active during the day, especially at dawn and dusk.

Ministry of Health develops emergency plans

Jorge Huarache, Health Officer of the International Federation of the Red Cross, says that they’re trying to prevent a major health emergency. The Ministry of Health will start to develop an emergency plan to stop the spread of the virus.

Symptoms

Incubation period of 2-7 days, after flu-like symptoms with sudden onset, such as

• Headaches

• Sickness

• Fever

• Chills

• Pain

• Joint pain

• Body aches

• Slow pulse

• Lymphadenopathy

After 4 to 5 days of illness rashes can occur.

After the symptoms subside, the disease comes back after a few days and is

present for further 1-15 days.

Costa Rica reports numbers dropping down now

and one shouldn’t become now afraid to travel to Costa Rica. Only in approximately 2–The illness takes 4% of the cases a heavy course. But mosquito protection is recommended.